to inspire (somebody) with courage, confidence, spirit, or hope
to spur (somebody) on
They were encouraged to paint by their parents
to give help, support, or approval to (e.g. a process or action)
Many companies encourage union membership
encouragement noun
encourager noun
encouraging adj
encouragingly adv
[Middle English encoragen from Old French encoragier, from en-1 + corage: see courage]